Vacuum Excavation System

ABSTRACT

A soil extraction system attachable to and powered by a mobile machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for the excavation of soil, sand, gravel, waste, or other material from an excavation site through the use of a vacuum to draw the dislodged materials into a collection tank, typically referred to as “vacuum excavation”. Vacuum excavation utilizes the kinetic energy in a high velocity fluid stream to penetrate, expand, and break up the soil. The loosened chunks of soil and rocks are then removed from the hole through the use of a very powerful vacuum, either sequentially or simultaneously with the high velocity fluid stream. This method is particularly useful in the excavation of buried utility lines because the hole, sometimes called a “pothole”, is created to expose the buried utility with less risk of damaging the utility, compared to manual or mechanical digging. The loosened soil or other material, sometimes called “spoils”, is vacuumed and collected in a collection tank. Material or spoils in a collection tank can later be used to refill holes after the utility has been located or emptied at a more convenient location on a construction or other work site.

Vacuum extraction, however, also has the major disadvantage of requiring large and expensive equipment to provide sufficient power to drive a high velocity fluid stream and a high power vacuum, as well as providing a large collection tank for the spoils. Typically, such equipment is mounted on a dedicated vehicle, either a truck or a tow behind trailer to accommodate the fact that the power is derived from a slave engine or other permanently attached, integrated power source. In practice, such systems are often unwieldy, particularly when the excavation is to be performed in inaccessible areas with limited room to maneuver and inconvenient since such equipment is not found on a typical job site, therefore causing delays.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a vacuum extraction apparatus that utilizes equipment already found on a typical job site and small enough to be employed in inaccessible areas. When utilizing equipment already found on a typical job site, there further exists a need for such a vacuum extraction system to be configured to quickly attach and detach from the existing equipment and utilize the power source integral to the existing equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum excavation attachment for a mobile machine that can be quickly and removably attached to the machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a vacuum excavation attachment for a mobile machine that is powered by the power system or systems of the mobile machine.

In a particular embodiment, a vacuum excavation attachment is powered by the hydraulic system of the mobile machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of vacuum excavation utilizing a vacuum excavation attachment for a mobile machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present invention have been depicted for illustrative purposes only wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle having the vacuum excavation attachment of the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of mounting assembly 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the vacuum excavation system attachment of the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side view of the vacuum excavation system attachment of the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a right side view of the vacuum excavation system attachment of the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of the compressed fluid system of the vacuum excavation system of the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of the vacuum system of the vacuum excavation system of the invention according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to provide a system that overcomes the inherent difficulties of current systems, the present invention provides a vacuum excavation system as an attachment for use with mobile machines found on typical job sites, such as skid-steer loaders and backhoes. In a particular embodiment, the vacuum excavation system attachment derives its power from the mobile machine itself, such as the hydraulic system found on such machines.

For exemplary purposes only, use of such a system with a skid steer loader is now described. One of skill in the art will readily understand that such an attachment may be used with other mobile machines.

Briefly, skid steer loaders generally include an engine, an arm assembly and an operator's cab mounted to a main frame supported by four wheels. The arm assembly generally includes a pair of load arms pivotally mounted to the main frame. A hydraulic system is usually employed to move between raised and lowered positions via hydraulic cylinders coupled to the load arm assemblies. Various attachments such as pallet forks, augers, backhoes, and trenchers are commonly mounted to the arm assembly.

Further, an auxiliary hydraulic system may be used to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between a pump on the frame and a hydraulic motor in the vicinity of the front-mounted attachment. It is typical for the flow of hydraulic fluid to be channeled from the pump on the frame to the hydraulic motor associated with the attachment by means of a plurality of hydraulic tubes which are generally directed along the load arm assemblies to the attachment. Alternatively, the attachments may also be connected to the main hydraulic system. Skid steer loaders are typically equipped with “quick attach” hydraulic hoses which facilitate removably attaching and detaching various attachments on the job site.

In practice, a vacuum excavation attachment of the present invention removably attaches to the front end and derives its power from the mobile machine, such as the hydraulic system of a skid steer loader. The flow of hydraulic fluid is channeled from the hydraulic pump on the frame to the hydraulic motor associated with the attachment by means of the hydraulic tubes and quick attach connections described herein. The vacuum excavation system attachment is removably attached to the machine via attachment means known in the art. An example of an attachment mechanism includes a mounting assembly called a universal mounting plate that rotates about a pivot pin at the free ends of the load arms. Also contemplated is slidably attaching the mechanism to the mobile machine via the forks of a forklift by providing the mechanism with a means for receiving such forks, for example by providing the mechanism with rectangular tubes into which the forks may be inserted.

In use, the vacuum excavation attachment has two hoses extending therefrom, where one hose directs compressed air or fluid toward the soil to be loosened, and one hose vacuums the loosened soil from the pothole. The operator stands outside of the skid steer loader in front of the vacuum excavation attachment and manually directs the hoses toward the soil to be removed.

In a particular embodiment, the vacuum excavation attachment has gauges to inform the operator of the spoils level of the spoils canister and the condition of the filter. Additional features may include a manual on/off switch, vacuum release valve and a fan cooler assembly to exhaust heat to the atmosphere, lowering the operating temperature inside the vacuum excavation attachment.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum excavation system attachment is generally comprised of two separate and interrelated systems, the compressed air system and the vacuum system.

In another particular embodiment, the compressed fluid system is powered through the hydraulic lines by the hydraulic motor on the mobile machine, such as a skid steer loader. As used herein, a compressed fluid system is a system for delivering air or liquid at high velocity to dislodge soil. Examples of compressed fluid systems include air compressors and liquid pumps and examples of the fluid to be delivered include air, gasses, water, other liquids or suspensions and combinations thereof. The hydraulic supply lines provide power to the hydraulic motor which powers the compressed fluid system located within the attachment. An air intake provides air supply to the compressor and a tank supplies liquid to a pump. The compressed fluid system further comprises a standard heat exchange system consisting of an oil cooler, oil filter and air/oil separator to regulate the temperate of the attachment, thus preventing overheating. The compressed fluid passes through a coalescing filter before exiting the compressed air supply line in a high velocity fluid stream of gas, and loosening the soil.

The vacuum system is also powered through the hydraulic lines by the hydraulic motor on the mobile machine. The hydraulic supply lines provide power to the hydraulic motor located within the attachment, which powers the positive displacement blower to create suction for the vacuum. Loosened soil is vacuumed from the pothole using a hose and first passes through a spoils canister which traps the largest percentage of the solid soil particles. The vacuum then passes air from the spoils canister through a filter which cleans soil particles out of the fluid before the fluid passes through the blower. After fluid passes through the blower, it passes through a silencer or muffler before exiting to the atmosphere.

In a particular embodiment, the vacuum system also features a vacuum relief valve to release the pressure in the vacuum system in case the filter becomes blocked and/or a blockage occurs in the blower. In a particular embodiment, the spoils canister will have at least a fifty-gallon capacity. Preferably, the spoils canister is provided with a door located on the front end of the attachment to facilitate emptying the spoils simply and efficiently.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 7, particular embodiments of the invention are exemplified.

FIG. 1 illustates a side view of the common skid steer loader 1 having the vacuum excavation system attachment 2 of the present invention. A conventional skid steer loader 1, illustrated in FIG. 1, has a frame 4 supported on ground 5 with drive wheels 6. A pair of lift arms 3 pivotally mounted on frame 4 is attached to the vacuum excavation system attachment 2 of the present invention.

The vacuum excavation attachment 2 of the present invention appears generally as a square box mounted on a common skid 31 and removably attached to the front end of a skid steer loader 1. The generally square shaped vacuum excavation attachment 2 has two hoses 21 and 22 extending therefrom, hose 21 directs pressurized fluid toward the soil to be loosened, and hose 22 vacuums the loosened soil from the pothole. Operator 20 stands outside of the skid steer loader 1 in front of vacuum excavation attachment 2 and manually directs hoses 21 and 22 toward the soil to be removed.

The vacuum excavation system attachment 2 removably attaches to the front end of skid steer loader via a universal mounting plate assembly indicated generally at 7. The lift arms of 3 skid steer loader 1 have coupling structures (not shown) adapted to be connected to hitch assembly 7. FIG. 2 illustrates that mounting plate assembly 7 is comprised of a pair of spaced-apart coplanar mounting plate members 8 and 9, an upper support member rigidly attached 10, such as by welding, across the plate members 8 and 9 at their upper edges and a lower parallel support member 11 attached at or near the bottom edges of plate members 8 and 9. Support members 10 and 11 are preferably elongated steel tube or bars.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the means for securing vacuum excavation attachment 2 to the mounting plate 19 of the skid steer loader via universal mounting plate assembly 7 include a rearwardly extending and downwardly angled top flange 12 which is rigidly attached, such as by welding, to the top of support member 10; a rearwardly extending first bottom flange 13 which is rigidly attached, such as by welding, to the rear bottom portion of plate 8, a rearwardly extending second bottom flange 14 which is rigidly attached to the rear bottom portion of plate 9; a rearwardly extending first side flange 15 which is rigidly attached to the outer side portion of plate 8; and a rearwardly extending second side flange 16 which is rigidly attached to the outer side portion of plate 9. Flanges 13 and 14 are also rigidly attached at their ends to the bottom ends of side flanges 15 and 16 but extend somewhat further rearwardly. Slot-like openings 17 and 18 in plate members 8 and 9 are for latching the vacuum excavation attachment 2 onto the skid steer loader mounting plate 19. J. L. Kelly in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,048 discloses an example of a hitch assembly for a skid steer loader.

Mounting plate assembly 7 is rigidly attached, such as by welding, to vacuum excavation attachment 2 to a pair of parallel forwardly extending arms of common skid 31.

The vacuum excavation attachment 2 derives its power from the hydraulic motor of skid steer loader 1 through the quick attach hydraulic hose connections (not shown) located on the front of skid steer loader 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the compressed fluid system is powered through the hydraulic pump on the skid steer loader 1 (not shown) through the quick attach hydraulic hose lines located on the front portion of skid steer loader 1. The hydraulic hoses on skid steer loader attach to the hydraulic supply lines protruding from the back side of the vacuum excavation attachment 2. Air intake 37 provides air supply to air compressor 38 driven by hydraulic motor 33 connected to hydraulic supply lines of skid steer. The compressed fluid system illustrated in flow diagram FIG. 6 further comprises a standard heat exchange system 44 consisting of air/oil receiver tank 41, air/oil separator filter 42, oil filter 46 and oil cooler/fan assembly 39, regulating the temperate of the compressed fluid system and preventing overheating. Cooler fan assembly 39 exhausts heat to the atmosphere lowering the operating temperature inside vacuum excavation attachment 2. Pressurized fluid exits through compressed air supply valve 36 and compressed fluid hose 21 in a high velocity fluid stream of gas.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7, the vacuum system is also powered through the hydraulic pump on skid steer loader 1 through the quick attach hydraulic hose lines located on the front portion of skid steer loader 1 (not shown). The hydraulic hoses on skid steer loader attach to the hydraulic supply lines protruding from the back-side of the vacuum excavation attachment 2. Hydraulic motor 32 powers positive displacement blower 23 creating the suction for vacuum. Loosened soil passes through spoils canister 25 trapping the largest percentage of solid particles. Fluid from the spoils canister 25 continues through filter 34 before passing through positive displacement blower 23. Fluid then passes through silencer 24 before exiting to atmosphere via opening on the top of the vacuum excavation attachment 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, filter condition gauge 30 mounted on the top of vacuum excavation attachment 2 informs operator 20 of condition of filter 34. Sight-glass 29 mounted on the top of vacuum excavation attachment 2 informs operator 20 of spoils level of spoils canister 25. Manual vacuum on/off control valve 28 mounted on the top of vacuum excavation attachment 2 controls air flow through the vacuum system illustrated in FIG. 7.

While FIG. 1 demonstrates a particular embodiment of the present invention attached to a skid steer loader, it is intended that the present invention also encompasses the use of the attachment removably attached to other maneuverable construction vehicles using means described herein.

While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims. 

1. A vacuum excavation attachment for a mobile machine having an integral hydraulic system, said attachment comprising: a) a means for attaching or detaching the vacuum excavation attachment to said mobile machine; b) a means for hydraulically attaching or detaching the vacuum excavation attachment to the hydraulic system of the mobile machine; c) a compressed fluid system powered by the hydraulic system of the mobile machine; and d) a vacuum system powered by the hydraulic system of the mobile machine.
 2. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching comprises a universal mounting plate.
 3. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said means for hydraulically attaching comprises a quick connect coupling.
 4. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said fluid jet system and said vacuum system perform their function simultaneously.
 5. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said fluid jet system comprises a fluid conveying wand having a nozzle for delivering a pressurized fluid.
 6. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said vacuum system comprises a spoils container.
 7. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said vacuum system comprises a suction hose
 8. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said vacuum system comprises an air filtering means.
 9. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 1, wherein said vacuum system comprises a means for silencing air leaving said vacuum system.
 10. A vacuum excavation attachment for a mobile machine, said attachment comprising: a) a means for attaching or detaching the vacuum excavation attachment to said mobile machine; b) a means for attaching or detaching the vacuum excavation attachment to the power system of the mobile machine; c) a compressed fluid system powered by the mobile machine; and d) a vacuum system powered by the mobile machine.
 11. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 10, wherein said means for attaching comprises a universal mounting plate.
 12. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 10, wherein said fluid jet system and said vacuum system perform their function simultaneously.
 13. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 10, wherein said fluid jet system comprises a fluid conveying wand having a nozzle for delivering a pressurized fluid.
 14. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 10, wherein said vacuum system comprises a spoils container.
 15. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 10, wherein said vacuum system comprises a suction hose
 16. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 10, wherein said vacuum system comprises an air filtering means.
 17. A vacuum excavation attachment of claim 10, wherein said vacuum system comprises a means for silencing air leaving said vacuum system. 